Computer Simulation Studies

There are situations when direct measurement of field strengths, no matter how thoroughly or competently performed, are inadequate to the analytical requirements. In other cases, direct measurements are impossible - the facilities do not yet exist. At such times, analysis by computer model is appropriate.

Common uses of computer simulations include:

Low-EMF building design. Increasingly, developers of new buildings look to FMS to assist electrical design firms to include low- or no-cost measures at the design stage to insure that EMF will cause the lowest possible impact on building utility. A computer simulation of the likely fields from an electrical component or distribution facility can guide the space planning function or can suggest changes in the design. The cost of such an analysis is insignificant when set against the long-term utility of even small spaces in an commercial building.

Site Selection and Project Layout. In the course of development, the layout of the project and the location of the buildings is a critical part of the successful project. These decisions should be informed by an awareness of the potential for interference from external sources of EMF. The usual tool of inquiry is the site survey, but while site surveys will provide an accurate "snapshot" of the conditions at the time of measurement, such "spot measurement" surveys are unable to provide an adequate view of the future range of possibilities. At only slightly higher cost, FMS can create a flexible computer model of the impact of the various sources across the entire project, individually and collectively and, more importantly, can allow for projections of future possibilities, and can rank them by probability.

Power Upgrades/Tenant Improvements. Changes in the power supply or distribution of a building can involve substantial risk from corresponding changes in the levels of electric and magnetic fields. New equipment, both building electrical and tenant can be analyzed for the potential for interference issues and, as needed, mitigation measures can be implemented at the build-out stage, when costs are a fraction of the costs of similar remediation, after construction is complete.

Mission Viejo Project. Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Site Survey Assessment of Southern California Edison Transmission Corridor 220 kV & 66 kV Circuits Mission Viejo, California.